SC disbars, dismisses clerk of court for bribery, misconduct

The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed Atty. Jurgens SJ. Milan, Clerk of Court V of the Regional Trial Court in La Trinidad, Benguet, from government service and disbarred him due to grave misconduct, dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The SC decision found that Milan engaged in bribery and misconduct by repeatedly demanding and receiving money, mishandling land titles, and falsely claiming influence over court proceedings.

A complaint filed by Shirley K. Tiwaken initiated the investigation into Milan's alleged abuse of his position.

Milan demanded ₱10,000 for safekeeping three land titles, later accepted ₱35,000 for case follow-ups, and then requested another ₱25,000 based on a false claim of an issued court decision.

Furthermore, the Court determined that Milan unlawfully released original land titles to individuals not authorized to receive them.

The SC has disbarred and dismissed from service the clerk of court for demanding money from a litigant to safekeep land titles and assist in a case.

He was also fined P18,000 and forfeited all his benefits, except accrued leave benefits, with prejudice to re-employment in any branch of the government.